clamshell
noun
clam·shell
ˈklam-ˌshel 
1
: the shell of a clam
2
a
: a bucket or grapple (as on a dredge) having two hinged jaws
b
: an excavating machine having a clamshell
c
: either of a pair of doors (as in an airplane tail) that open out and away from each other
d
: a hinged container, case, or cover that opens like the shell of a clam
Examples of clamshell in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Plastics in this broad category may contain bisphenols and could include five-gallon water cooler jugs, some citrus juice and ketchup bottles, as well as produce clamshells.
—
Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 15 Sep. 2023
Lulu’s Jungle Room and the Mississippi Room will be in adjacent rooms and will operate together as a supper club and bar, except on nights when Lulu’s is offering live music on its clamshell stage.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Sep. 2023
True to name, the interior of the suitcase has a minimalist design with two clamshell compartments, several zippered pockets, and compression straps.
—Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2023
Beautiful lettuces look pristine in their clamshell boxes, but all that plastic is a dealbreaker.
—Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 29 Aug. 2023
The recalled kiwi exported to North America was repackaged locally for sale in one-pound clear plastic clamshells bearing the Zespri brand and UPC code 8 18849 02009 3, containing fruit stickers with the GTIN bar code 9400 9552.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 9 Aug. 2023
So take a clamshell that is used for your take-out chicken rotisserie.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2023
The rectangular case opens up fully (like a clamshell) and was super easy to pack.
—L.a. Hubilla, Peoplemag, 24 Aug. 2023
After giving in and providing a clamshell design and a trackpad, leaving both the Esc key and a function row out seems obstinate.
—Wes Davis, The Verge, 3 Sep. 2023
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Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 15 Sep. 2023
Lulu’s Jungle Room and the Mississippi Room will be in adjacent rooms and will operate together as a supper club and bar, except on nights when Lulu’s is offering live music on its clamshell stage.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Sep. 2023
True to name, the interior of the suitcase has a minimalist design with two clamshell compartments, several zippered pockets, and compression straps.
—Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2023
Beautiful lettuces look pristine in their clamshell boxes, but all that plastic is a dealbreaker.
—Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 29 Aug. 2023
The recalled kiwi exported to North America was repackaged locally for sale in one-pound clear plastic clamshells bearing the Zespri brand and UPC code 8 18849 02009 3, containing fruit stickers with the GTIN bar code 9400 9552.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 9 Aug. 2023
So take a clamshell that is used for your take-out chicken rotisserie.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2023
The rectangular case opens up fully (like a clamshell) and was super easy to pack.
—L.a. Hubilla, Peoplemag, 24 Aug. 2023
After giving in and providing a clamshell design and a trackpad, leaving both the Esc key and a function row out seems obstinate.
—Wes Davis, The Verge, 3 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clamshell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near clamshell
Cite this Entry
“Clamshell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clamshell. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
clamshell
noun
clam·shell
ˈklam-ˌshel
: the shell of a clam
More from Merriam-Webster on clamshell
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about clamshell
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